8.19 Intoxicated, Substance Abusing Youth, and Withdrawal procedures Pursuant to Section 1431

Chapter 8
Section 8.19
Subject 8.19 Intoxicated, Substance Abusing Youth, and Withdrawal procedures Pursuant to Section 1431
Effective Date 4/30/2024 12:00 AM
  1.  All youth will be screened for drug and alcohol use is conducted at booking by the booking officer.
  2. Youth who are intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance will be accepted for booking into the Juvenile Hall according to the extent to which health care can be provided within the facility.  This includes but is not limited to whether or not medical staff is on duty at the time the youth is admitted.
  3. Youth who display outward signs of intoxication including but not limited to disorientation as to time, place or person, lapses of consciousness, difficulty breathing, persistent vomiting, inability to clear mucus or food/liquids, unable to stand or sit on their own, or are known or suspected to have ingested any substance that could result in a medical emergency shall not be admitted to the Juvenile Hall without first being evaluated at a local hospital.
  4. A passive alcohol screen (PAS) shall be administered to all youth upon admission, who are suspected or known to be under the influence of alcohol. The PAS shall be administered while the arresting officer is present.
  5. If on duty at the time of the youth’s admission, facility medical staff shall assess all youth suspected of being intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled or other substance to determine the need for a medical clearance by an emergency physician.
  6. A careful history and clinical assessment are performed at booking by medical staff.
  7. If facility medical staff are not on duty at the time of admission, and the youth has a Blood Alcohol Content of .10 or above, the youth shall not be admitted to the Juvenile Hall without first being evaluated at a local hospital.
  8. Youth who are Intoxicated or under the influence, who have been medically cleared by a physician to be booked into the Juvenile Hall, shall be housed in a holding room until the youth is no longer intoxicated or under the influence and cleared by medical staff. 
  9. Staff shall visually observe the youth at least every 15 minutes (or less if determined necessary) while in a holding room.  Visual checks shall be documented with actual time on a facility stress watch sheet.
  10. If a youth appears intoxicated or under the influence of a substance after four (4) hours from the time of admission, a medical evaluation shall be completed.  Medical staff will determine if a youth needs to be evaluated at the local hospital. 
  11. Youth actively going through withdrawals will be physically assessed and Medical will create a plan utilizing a Withdrawal Monitoring Flow sheet, a Daily Fluid Intake log.  Youth will be medically treated to address their symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, pain, dehydration, and blood pressure levels. 
  12. Medical will collaborate with Behavioral Health to address any mental or emotional symptomology.  
  13. Medical Staff will collaborate with Probation regarding housing and monitoring.
  14.  Medical staff will determine and document when the youth is no longer in need of monitoring.
  15. Medical staff will create a discharge (release from custody) plan and communicate the plan with the Case Plan committee, and the probation officer supervising the youth in the community. Discharge planning will include a recommendation for County Drug and Alcohol Counseling, education regarding overdose, and education on the use of NARCAN for both the youth and family.   
  16. Pregnant women withdrawing from opiates will immediately be seen by a physician.